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Hilltop Library recognizes teens and poetry
(by Brittany L. Browne, staff writer - May 08, 2012)
The Hilltop Library hosted its seventh annual Teen Poetry Contest on May 5.
This year 11 area schools submitted 18 poems. Teens entered poems in April, in conjunction with National Poetry Month.
The submissions were judged by library staff and local teachers.
The poem titled, “My Soldier,” by Trianna Connolly was the top selection in the high school category. In the middle school category Andrew Gilsan’s poem, “The 5 Senses of Spring” was chosen as top selection.
The Hilltop area has four middle schools, three high schools and several charter schools that participate on a regular basis. However, teenagers are able to enter the contest regardless of what school they attend.
Wendy Morano, teen service librarian, said there are many misconceptions about teenagers in urban neighborhoods, such as they do not care about school or like to read and write.
“I have found that is not the case on the Hilltop. There are so many talented teens out there. Teens with a lot to say and share, and they want to share,” Morano said.
This year’s submissions came from Hilltonia Middle School, Westmoor Middle School, Wedgewood Middle School, St. Mary Magdalene School, West High School, Briggs High School, and Bishop Ready High School.
“The library is the perfect place to promote poetry and literacy while celebrating the creativity and talent of teens on the Hilltop,” Morano said.
Morano said she got the idea for a poetry contest after hearing about its success at another library.
“I was skeptical at first, wondering if teens would be interested and want to participate. I was so impressed that first year by the quality and sheer amount of entries that the contest has become a yearly tradition,” Morano said.
The contest allows teens to write freely and does not hold them to a particular theme.
The winning poets are given a blank journal to encourage their writing.
There is also a poetry reception, where winners are announced and all the poems are celebrated. The winners get an opportunity to share their poems. All of the pieces submitted are displayed at the event.
“The contest will definitely continue as long as I am here. It is one of my favorite teen programs,” Morano said.
For information on the Teen Poetry Contest at the Hilltop Library, contact Wendy Morano at wmorano@columbuslibrary.org.
My Soldier
By Trianna Connolly
When night was on our side
And we danced beneath the stars
How I laughed at you when you stumbled,
And then to the ground you fumbled,
With me forever in your arms.
Since the days have come and gone
I have forever longed for you
The sweet in your eyes, the saucy in your smile
From just staring at you, my heart would go a mile
To me, always remembering you.
That day before you left
Is one to never be forgotten
When you held me close and I soaked your shirt with tears
This day, all of days I have lived, confirmed my fears
You were going away, never to be seen again
But our souls were connected
Our lives were as one
And the day I felt yours no longer around
I knew what happened before your body could be found
You left me without a warning
We were planning so much
Our future was bright
“‘Til my very last breath,” you said to me
“And ‘til that time I will forever be…
Your soldier.”
The 5 Senses of Spring
By Andrew Glisan
The smell of spring
Is fresh and brisk
With fresh cut grass.
The sound of spring
Is hearing lawn mowers, weed eaters,
And birds chirping.
The Touch of spring is
Having the warm sun touch your skin at the right
Temperature.
The taste of spring is fresh fruits of the tree,
And the sight of spring
Is seeing the earth changing seasons to
Show its true beauty.
Not Perfect
By Shyanne Parthemore
I am not a perfect girl
My hair doesn’t always stay in place
I spill things a lot
I’m pretty clumsy
And sometimes I have a broken heart
My friends and I sometimes fight
But maybe, just maybe I like not being perfect…
That’s what makes me… ME!
Can Not
By Corey Levisay
You can not compare him to a rose bud
He can not live to see the sun again
He can no longer feel the presents of mud
Oh how I miss back when
I wish I could have seen him when he went
A burden off me that would be
But instead he left my heart bent
For that kind old man was everything to me
The sun has set on his time
And all his worldly possessions now lie
Inside a box made out of pine
On his chest I placed a dime
Now my mom says not to cry
But what else can u do when someone u love, has died?
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